Pssh...I'm still gettin' money.

[Morsetlis]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I have about $10,000 saved up for this coming application cycle. Depending on my MCAT, I'll probably apply to 25 schools. If blow through all $10k and I don't get in, I'm going to blow a gasket.

Could it be something else other than a gasket?

🙂

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

Schedule interviews in the middle of the week too if you can and just skip school...makes flights way cheaper. I also had one time where i just flew to one school in my suit in the morning and flew back that night, not a big deal if the timing works out right for you and you save on paying for anything else.

 

[cyanide12345678]

Everyone will hate me but I spent about 300 on primary applications (6 schools through TMDSAS and 2 schools through AMCAS).

Spent about 100 on the secondary of only one AMCAS school ( didn't fill out the secondary of 2 TMDSAS schools which cost 60 dollars each (didn't think it was worth the money ) and one AMCAS school).

So, I completed application at a grand total of 5 schools.

Interviewed at all 5 schools and drove everywhere.

Spent about 150 in gas money and 150 on hotels (Out of the 5 schools, 2 of them were in the same city where I live, so no lodging or travelling needed).

Total expense = $700

Got 2/5 acceptances so didn't do all that badly 😛 Should probably have not applied through amcas and saved another 300 dollars and bought myself something nice.

 

[PreMedOrDead]

Everyone will hate me but I spent about 300 on primary applications (6 schools through TMDSAS and 2 schools through AMCAS).

Spent about 100 on the secondary of only one AMCAS school ( didn't fill out the secondary of 2 TMDSAS schools which cost 60 dollars each (didn't think it was worth the money ) and one AMCAS school).

So, I completed application at a grand total of 5 schools.

Interviewed at all 5 schools and drove everywhere.

Spent about 150 in gas money and 150 on hotels (Out of the 5 schools, 2 of them were in the same city where I live, so no lodging or travelling needed).

Total expense = $700

Got 2/5 acceptances so didn't do all that badly 😛 Should probably have not applied through amcas and saved another 300 dollars and bought myself something nice.

My friend applied and received the FAP program:

She took no MCAT prep course ($2000 -> $0): $0.00
MCAT was paid for by her schools, ($235 -> $85 -> $0): $0.00
She applied to 14 schools, ($500 -> $0): $0.00
She submitted all her secondaries that were covered by FAP, ($1,400 -> $0): $0.00
She received only one interview, at her state school, and was given a ride from a friend to and from her hometown to the school, wore dress clothes she already had, and was accepted, even her deposit was waived ($500 -> $0): $0.00

Total cost of her successful application: $0.00

I suppose, for everything else, there's MasterCard.

 

[La Presse]

My friend applied and received the FAP program:

She took no MCAT prep course ($2000 -> $0): $0.00
MCAT was paid for by her schools, ($235 -> $85 -> $0): $0.00
She applied to 14 schools, ($500 -> $0): $0.00
She submitted all her secondaries that were covered by FAP, ($1,400 -> $0): $0.00
She received only one interview, at her state school, and was given a ride from a friend to and from her hometown to the school, wore dress clothes she already had, and was accepted, even her deposit was waived ($500 -> $0): $0.00

Total cost of her successful application: $0.00

I suppose, for everything else, there's MasterCard.

Very clever.

 

[flodhi1]

I easily spent in between 5k-7k last cycle. Applying to medical school is not cheap.

 

[Rumalum]

Not everyone can drive to interviews and not everyone has the luxury of only submitting 9 secondaries. There are no "hostels" in Hawai'i. I grew up there, I know. Your flight alone to Hawai'i was probably near $1k. Again, I'm from Hawai'i. Can't BS me on anything Hawai'i related.

http://www.waikikibeachsidehostel.com/ why on earth wouldn't there be hostels in such a huge tourist destination?

And yes, the trip to Hawaii was expensive. But it was more of a vacation than a serious interview since I knew they only take 6-8 OOS and the OOS tuition is 90k. WIthout that trip, my expenses would have been under 2000 dollars.

Yes it sucks if you live in the middle of nowhere Montana, but if you live in an urban area (for school, at least), then you'll more than likely to have med schools close by. There must be at least 10 med schools in New England, all accessible by public transportation. Same story in places like california, florida, Texas, and illinois. Also, no one has any business applying to 25 schools. What's it for? You're only going to one! Too many times I see people applying to 8-9 top 20 programs, and all they're doing is securing some ADCOM's salary

There are people posting here worrying that they will not have enough money in a couple years to apply, and I'm trying to be a voice of reason in saying that there is absolutely no need to spend so much money to get into med school. Admission committees don't give a hoot about your diamond crusted suit - they just want you to clean up and have good posture. You should only apply to schools whose mission and acceptance averages match your EC's and grades - to maximize your chances and to avoid applying to 20 programs. Finally, lots of banks have online tools to help you save up towards a goal so start early

 

[Rumalum]

I've never stayed in a hostel, but aren't they typically dorm-type setups? Kind of the last place I'd want to stay when I'm interviewing for something as important as medical school.

The hostel was a dorm set-up, but it was also pretty sweet. met some great people from all over, including Dubai, Sweden, Amsterdam, and a couple from England. I was there for my 21st birthday and got my first legal drink with them. I was able to rent a scooter really cheap to get to my interviews and travel around the island (people in hawaii think 10 minutes is far away - and they were shocked when I said I'm going up to the north side of the island)

If you get an interview, you need to be confident in what you've accomplished and not be strung up. There's zero reason to be nervous for a med school interview. I had 5 and there wasn't a single school that grilled me or pressured me. They just want to get to know you, but that can't happen when you're sweating out of every pore in your body and pulsating fear

 

[ShenanigansMD]

Hostels anyone? Why does nobody ever use these for the big cities? So much cheaper.

 

[tn4596]

Hostels anyone? Why does nobody ever use these for the big cities? So much cheaper.

the movie with the very same name

 

[MT Headed]

that is ridiculous, i guess that is reasonable if you are interviewing at big metroplexes and if you are staying a few day before/after. i stayed at small motels and their price range from $60-$100 per night. I also only stay one night only and leave immediately after the interviews.

I spent 7 days in New Orleans for my Tulane interview, and I think it was a big plus at my interview to show how much I was interested in the area. Of course that length of stay isn't necessary, but good god did I have a blast that last week in January. 😎

 

[circulus vitios]

Oh wow, for some reason I was under the impression you were an M2 or so.

I wish.